Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a combat sport that combines elements from various martial arts disciplines, including boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, Judo, and Karate. What distinguishes MMA from other martial arts is its versatility, as fighters are trained to be proficient in both striking and grappling, making it a hybrid art. Unlike traditional martial arts, which typically focus on one aspect of fighting, MMA encourages a well-rounded approach, allowing practitioners to seamlessly transition between standing (striking) and ground (grappling) combat. MMA fighters must be skilled in various techniques to succeed, making adaptability and conditioning key components of the sport.

MMA’s roots can be traced back to ancient combat sports like Pankration in Greece, which combined elements of boxing and wrestling, and Vale Tudo in Brazil, where fighters were allowed to use a wide range of techniques. However, modern MMA as we know it today began to take shape in the early 1990s, particularly with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. The UFC was initially created to determine the most effective martial art by pitting fighters from different disciplines against each other in an open-weight tournament. Early UFC events featured a variety of fighting styles, including traditional martial arts like Karate, Judo, and Taekwondo, alongside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. Over time, fighters recognised the importance of cross-training in multiple disciplines to succeed, which led to the evolution of MMA into the sport it is today.